THE HOUSE of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a measure converting the extension units of Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) in the municipalities of Arteche and Balangiga into regular campuses, expanding access to state-subsidized higher education in the province.

Under House Bill No. 9464, authored by Eastern Samar Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales and 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan, the ESSU extension units in Arteche and Balangiga will be upgraded into full-fledged campuses of the province’s lone state university.

Each campus will be headed by a full-time campus director.

Gonzales said the measure would significantly broaden access to affordable and quality higher education for students in Eastern Samar.

“This measure will significantly expand access to state-subsidized higher education across Eastern Samar. Students in and around Arteche and Balangiga will no longer have to travel far from home to pursue the college degree programs they want,” he said.

“We remain committed to promoting greater access to high-quality, state-subsidized college education throughout Eastern Samar,” Gonzales added.

He also emphasized the importance of higher education in creating better opportunities for Filipinos.

“There’s no question that higher learning opens more opportunities for gainful employment and gives families a better chance to improve their quality of life,” he said.

The proposed measure mandates the two new campuses to offer undergraduate and graduate degree programs, technical-vocational courses, as well as research and extension services.

ESSU, the lone state university in Eastern Samar, currently serves nearly 25,000 students and employs 721 faculty members.

Once the conversion is completed, the upgrading of the Arteche and Balangiga extension units will bring the total number of ESSU campuses in the province to seven.

Aside from its main campus in Borongan City, ESSU currently operates regular campuses in the municipalities of Can-avid, Guiuan, Maydolong, and Salcedo.